Armpit Odor – How to Get Rid, Home Remedies, Causes, Bad Armpit Odor Control

How do you get rid of armpit odor? What are some of the armpit odor causes? What does a strong armpit odor mean? What are some of the best home remedies for armpit odor? These are some of the questions that are all over the internet and if you can relate to them then this article was written with you in mind. We’ll highlight some of the causes of armpit odor and share with you various ways to get rid of armpit odor.

What Causes Armpit Odor – Armpit Odor Causes

There are many causes of armpit odor ranging from sweating and the related bacterial activity, eating too much of spicy foods, certain medications (e.g. antidepressant and antipsychotic medication that cause armpit odor as a side-effect) and stress to hormonal changes (e.g. at menopause and puberty) and medical conditions such as diabetes, trimethylaminuria, liver and kidney diseases, and hyperthyroidism among others.

Bad Armpit Odor – How to tell if it is trimethylaminuria

Armpit Odor

Also referred to as fish odor syndrome, trimethylaminuria is a rare genetic condition that makes patients unable to break down a compound known as Trimethylamine. Trimethylamine is produced during break down of choline-rich foods such as organ meat and egg yolks.

You should suspect Trimethylamine if you detect a persistent smell that is similar to that of rotting fish. In cases of small concentrations of Trimethylamine, the smell may be garbage-like. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have trimethylaminuria.

Strong Armpit Odor or Excessive Armpit Odor

A strong armpit odor is often the result of excessive sweating, too much of spicy and strong smelling foods such as onions and garlic, certain medications e.g. antidepressants, or medical conditions such as liver diseases, kidney diseases, trimethylaminuria or hyperthyroidism. The choice of treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.

How to Get Rid Of Armpit Odor

Now that we know some of the causes of armpit odor, the question is how can you keep armpit odor at bay? Well, here is how to get rid of armpit odor.

Bathe regularly

Bathing at least once a day is paramount to getting rid of armpit odor. Bathing limits the amount of bacteria growing on your skin and also washes off sweat from your skin. Using an antibacterial soap is also very helpful. After washing, it is advisable to dry the armpits thoroughly since bacteria have a liking for damp environments.

How to Stop Armpit Odor through diet

Diet is often to blame for armpit odor. Some foods and spices are known to cause unpleasant body odor due to a release of chemicals from such foods via sweat. Some spices can also make you sweat more, leading to a higher bacterial breakdown of sweat. This eventually culminates in armpit odor.

How to Control Smelly Underarm – deodorants and antiperspirants

How to Get Rid of Armpit Odor

Deodorants and antiperspirants are a marvelous way to get rid of armpit odor. While most people consider deodorants and antiperspirants as one and the same thing, they are not. Deodorants cover or mask the unpleasant smell with a perfume. Some also have additional ingredients e.g. alcohols to create unsuitable environments for bacterial growth.

Antiperspirants on the other hand usually contain ingredients that control controlling the rate of sweating.

Armpit Odor Treatment

Good hygiene and diet are in most cases enough to get rid of armpit surgery, but if that doesn’t seem to help, the next course of action that you may want to consider is a 20 percent aluminum chloride solution such as Anhydrol forte and Driclor. These are available over-the-counter.

Over-the-counter antibacterial and antiseptic solutions such as chlorhexidine 0.05 percent can also help.

If you still can’t get rid of that offensive armpit odor even with the above options, you may want to visit a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe Oxybutylin, Glycopyrrolate, or Clonidine.

How to Eliminate Armpit Odor or How to Remove Armpit Odor through Surgery

Severe cases of armpit odor are usually treated with surgery which is done to destroy the problematic sweat glands. Botox is also often used as an alternative to surgery and involves injecting small doses of botulinum toxin into the armpit area.

Home Remedies for Armpit Odor – Natural Remedies for Armpit Odor

Armpit odor is something that most people (if not all) would rather do without. So here are a few home remedies for armpit odor:

Wheatgrass

Vinegar: vinegar is a natural antiseptic. It lowers the pH of the skin hindering bacterial growth and activity. You can either use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Simply dab some vinegar on your armpits using a washcloth and then wipe the skin dry and you are good to go.

Chlorophyllin or wheat grass supplements: these two green supplements are fantastic natural remedies for armpit odor. They bind the odor causing compounds and that way act as natural deodorizers.

Wear appropriate clothing: Wearing loosely-fitting clothes made of natural fiber such as cotton or silk is one of the easiest yet very powerful home remedies for armpit odor. According to The Mayo Clinic, such clothing allows more breathability and air circulation. This not only maintains a drier environment but also drives away the bacteria-laden moisture.

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that helps to kill the odor causing bacteria when applied to your armpits.

Witch hazel: Witch hazel also plays in the league of the best home remedies for armpit odor. Witch hazel works by altering the pH of the skin to create an unfavorable environment for bacterial activity.

How to Prevent Armpit Odor

You can prevent armpit odor by observing a stringent personal hygiene regime, eating spicy and strong scented foods such as onions in moderations, and learning to manage stress and anxiety.